Packers Cut Aaron Jones, Snag Josh Jacobs via Free Agency
In what might be the most surprising move to this point in the 2024 NFL offseason, the Green Bay Packers have agreed with former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. The 2022 NFL rushing leader, Jacobs joins an offense loaded with young talent including Jordan Love, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
Jacobs did have a down statistical season in 2023, averaging just 14 fantasy points and finishing 28th among running backs. That could be partially to blame on a camp holdout, not to mention a four-game absence due to injuries. Jacobs also didn’t get much help from his quarterbacks; a problem he won’t have in Green Bay.
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Keep in mind that Jacobs was pretty much a lock to average 15-plus points in his first four seasons, including a 2022 campaign where he averaged more than 19 points. That’s probably his ceiling in Green Bay, but it’s definitely achievable. And with AJ Dillon a free agent and the news that Aaron Jones will be released; Jacobs will be a clear-cut No. 1 fantasy running back in 2024 fantasy drafts.
As for the team Jacobs leaves behind, the Raiders could hand over their backfield duties to Zamir White. Over the final four weeks of last season without Jacobs, he averaged 4.7 yards per rush and 15.2 points. In this sot of scenario, White will be an attractive flex value and target for fantasy managers who go Zero RB in drafts.
Related: 2024 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Grading Every Major Move